Michael: I have to disagree with the premis of your question, but I will answer as I can, anyway.
There has been some discussion of software distribution on Zip drives here on SI and on AOL.
First, there is the Acer $500 network computer that will have a zip as it's only drive. This may ship with some software on Zip, or some upgrades. But mostly I would expect software for it to come via the Internet.
Second, there is a game machine (Bandi?) that will use Zip disks instead of game cartriges or CD-ROMs.
Third, for mainstream software, the concensus is that none will ship until the Zip drive has an installed base of many tens of millions. A Zip disk costs quite a bit more than a CD-ROM.
However, an Iomega employee has stated that there are many hidden features in the Zip drive firmware. These may include some form of copy protection. This would allow the maker of a high priced (eg > $2,000) software package to ship a Zip version that did not require a dongle. An example might be AutoCAD.
Now, my disagreement: The success of the Zip drive is conditional on one thing -- consumer acceptance. Iomega needs to ship tens of millions of Zip drives. THIS is what makes a standard. (NOT an IEEE committee, not an "industry consortium", and not even a big parent like Intel or Microsoft.)
When consumers are asking vendors "does it come with a Zip drive?", they will all be answering "yes". Even Compaq.
Why will (do) consumers want Zip drives? Because it holds "your stuff". Last night a friend's hard drive started going bad. We bought him a $149 Zip drive & some extra disks, and copied off the important stuff. Now, I can try to slavage the HD by locking out bad tracks. Or maybe I will have to replace it. Whatever; we have his stuff, and can copy it back onto any machine that has a parallel port.
I love it! |
